July 2019 Visit w/ Extended Family

[Didi8367]

Ok. My extended family (My mother, my siblings, all of our spouses, and all of our children--14 people in all) has planned a 11-Day family trip for sometime in July of 2019. We are flying to LA for three days to do Disney and then going on from there to Maui. The dates have not been totally set in stone, BUT they have to fall between 7/5-7/28 (due to work schedules and other obligations like camp, etc.).

Yesterday, I read that the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is scheduled for summer 2019. YIKES! Naturally, I'm concerned about crowds, etc. So, my question to all you experts on here (who have forgotten more about Disney that I'll probably ever know!) is: What is your best guess as to when SWGE will open? June? July? August? What is "Summer" to Disney? Given that we WILL be there sometime in July (the trip is happening, no one in the group--myself included--is interested in/able to move(ing) it up or postpone(ing) it.), would you plan for earlier in July or later? My inclination is to go as early as possible (Like July 5-8) and hope that it opens later. But, I don't know. It will be my nephew's (who will be 4 1/2) first visit and I just don't want it to be a complete nightmare.

 

[Congo Queen]

This is really one for the crystal ball. It's such a massive project and unexpected things could cause delays. I've seen in various online sources that June 2019 is the goal. My best bet is that they are going to open it sometime that month. That said, I think any time in July 2019 is going to be a time of really big crowds. Your experience on July 3 or 23 is not going to be that much different in 2019. Secure your hotels as early as you can. If you can, reserve on-property hotels as they will likely offer some kind of special access to their guests. Have a great trip and remember that you can always relax and chill once you get to Maui.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you wait for a summer visit when nothing big and new is happening and Disney decides to dial back their marketing machines, you will be waiting a long time. This is DLR. Where people line up for 6 hours to ride POTC after it added Captain Jack Sparrow.

Will be SWGE be bigger than other things? Maybe. Was CarsLand and Buena Vista Street a big deal in 2012? Yes of course. But everyone survived just fine.

I cannot imagine trying to:

1. Predict when SWGE will open in 2019 as of today, June 1, 2018
2. Avoid DLR in 2019 even if #1 was successful.

A way better idea IMO is to figure out the best strategy for staying close to the parks so everyone can get an early start each day.

 

[Didi8367]

Thanks so much for the insight and perspective. I definitely realize that it's not something that anyone can know, now. I guess I was really just looking more for general insight into how these openings tend to go, as opposed to any sort of hard & fast prediction. I've never gone during a time when something new & big has opened up, so I don't really know what to expect in that regard.

As a bit more background on us, we are not Disney novices at all (I've done WDW 3x and DL 2x), but neither are we experts. I'd consider us on the more knowledgable side of average. But, one of those visits was to WDW during the week between Christmas and New Years, so I do know how to plan for big crowds. That visit was very successful due to employing all the usual techniques (Rope Drop, EMH, FPs, etc.), so I imagine that, if we DO end up having to manage SWGE crowds at DLR, we can manage. And, on the bright side, my 12-year-old son will be THRILLED--even if no one else is!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks so much for the insight and perspective. I definitely realize that it's not something that anyone can know, now. I guess I was really just looking more for general insight into how these openings tend to go, as opposed to any sort of hard & fast prediction. I've never gone during a time when something new & big has opened up, so I don't really know what to expect in that regard.

As a bit more background on us, we are not Disney novices at all (I've done WDW 3x and DL 2x), but neither are we experts. I'd consider us on the more knowledgable side of average. But, one of those visits was to WDW during the week between Christmas and New Years, so I do know how to plan for big crowds. That visit was very successful due to employing all the usual techniques (Rope Drop, EMH, FPs, etc.), so I imagine that, if we DO end up having to manage SWGE crowds at DLR, we can manage. And, on the bright side, my 12-year-old son will be THRILLED--even if no one else is!

Good luck! Think long term about lodging and make a smart choice there. It will help a lot. You probably already know this, but rope drop and afternoon breaks at DLR offer bigger payoffs than at WDW. The parks open earlier at DLR. And a close hotel makes for short commutes and no wasted time on buses and boats.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Some things won't change no matter when SWGE opens. Your TS reservations will still open 60 days out. So know if your group will want character meals, dining packages (a very good idea with a group that large -- F! dining packages, WOC Dessert Party or regular WOC dining packages, parade dining packages, etc.), and any TS meals in general (with a large party, it will really help to have Priority Seating reservations!). Any tours? Those can be booked 30 days out (I think -- double check this closer to your dates). Study up on Max Pass and whether/how it would work with your group. For some families it really helps and for others, the free paper FPs work just fine. Being organized and having good planning (and back up plans, just in case), will really help you to go with the flow and the magic no matter what happens with crowds. You're going to have a great time!

 

[tzeitel]

I agree with @HydroGuy and @theluckyrabbit - plan ahead, and for the hotel way ahead.
I would start looking at hotels this July. Once the dates for SWGE are announced it will be hard to find something close for a party that big, plus rates will go up.
Dining packages are great for big parties.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... What is your best guess as to when SWGE will open? June? July? August? What is "Summer" to Disney?..

As of now, based on the new changes announced today regarding AP blockout dates, it would appear that Disney is aiming to open SWGE by/around the third week of June 2019.

 

[HydroGuy]

As of now, based on the new changes announced today regarding AP blockout dates, it would appear that Disney is aiming to open SWGE by/around the third week of June 2019.

You could also make a case SWGE will be Memorial Day as the DAP blockouts at DL on Sunday (as well as Saturday) start then. By June 7 the Fri/Sat/Sun blockouts start. Then full week blockouts start June 24.

 

[TheZue]

You could also make a case SWGE will be Memorial Day as the DAP blockouts at DL on Sunday (as well as Saturday) start then. By June 7 the Fri/Sat/Sun blockouts start. Then full week blockouts start June 24.

That's what I think. The So Cal annual passes are getting blocked for all of June 2019 from Disneyland, currently they get the first week in both parks and they get to keep that first week of DCA in 2019. I think that the deluxe passes are going to have a small pre summer rush window to go check it out. If everything goes according to plan of course.

We are going next July too, I'm just waiting for the Disney hotels to come up and then I'm booking ASAP. Does anyone know if you have to call for two bedroom suites for GCH? I never see them come up no matter what dates I put in.

 

[goooof1]

......AND I would seriously consider extending to at least 4 or 5 days in the parks. That would help take some of the pressure off if it is really packed!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You could also make a case SWGE will be Memorial Day as the DAP blockouts at DL on Sunday (as well as Saturday) start then. By June 7 the Fri/Sat/Sun blockouts start. Then full week blockouts start June 24.

All this to say that I think we can agree that the OP can fully expect, barring any catastrophes, that SWGE will be open by July! So it won't make much difference whether the OP visits in early or late July, with the exception of July 4th (and possibly July 17th -- but not nearly as big an impact there as for the 4th) -- the SWGE crowds most likely will be in full swing by then.

 

[Didi8367]

You all are so helpful! That is all wonderful information. Thank you so much. I am going to plan as if it WILL be open. We will definitely book our hotel as soon as the window opens. And, whatever the case, we are going to have fun--it's Disney, after all! Thanks again!

 

[Didi8367]

Thanks so much again for all the suggestions/encouragement. We booked Desert Inn today for July 6-9. Unfortunately, on property is a) not in everyone's budget; and b) we have a couple of little guys for whom the shorter walk to DI for mid-day rests is extremely important. Park days will be 7/6 (Sat) (Will arrive at LAX around 9:30am, hoping to get to the park btwn noon-1, which seems doable. We're not renting a car, so will be able to head towards Anaheim as soon as we get our luggage), 7/7 (Sun), 7/8 (Mon). We're going to operate on the assumption that SWGE will be open by then, and have decided to just be philosophical about crowds. And, if nothing else, we have 337 days to plan . . .